The Karnataka Lokayukta has recommended that citizens and NGOs be allowed to provide shelters for aggressive stray dogs, in a move aimed at strengthening measures against the growing stray dog menace in Bengaluru.

Steps taken by Greater Bengaluru Authority

On September 18, the Special Commissioner (Health and Education), Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), submitted a detailed report outlining steps taken to control the stray dog population. Measures included increasing Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries, better utilisation of kennels, and addressing staff shortages that had slowed the implementation of animal husbandry programmes.

Deputy Director of GBA, Dr. Chandraiah, assured the Lokayukta that dogs showing aggression or a habit of biting would not be allowed to roam freely and would be housed in observation centres. He added that civic authorities were identifying sites to set up dedicated shelter homes.

Lokayukta emphasizes accountability

The Lokayukta issued strict instructions, warning that any serious incident of dog bites or attacks on children or elderly residents would attract collective responsibility for the concerned officials. “Any incident of dog bite or grave incident of dogs attacking and mauling children or old people would be viewed very seriously and for that collective responsibility will be fixed on the erring officials,” the order stated, referencing a fatal attack in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka zone earlier this year.

The authority further directed the Special Commissioner and the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry to provide comprehensive data on:

  • Dogs subjected to birth control surgery
  • Aggressive dogs being segregated and sheltered
  • Dogs vaccinated
  • Observation centres established or under development

These statistics are to be communicated to the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of all five corporations.

Measures beyond Bengaluru city limits

The Lokayukta emphasised that stray dog control cannot be confined to Bengaluru city alone. “So far as Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts are concerned, I find it just and necessary to communicate this order to the Deputy Commissioners of both the districts, and the Chief Executive Officers of the zilla panchayats with instructions to sensitize the officers of the local bodies and other officials concerned of the need to take similar measures to control the dog menace,” the order stated.

Resident relief and ongoing concerns

The urgency of the matter was highlighted by a petition from the Netravathi Colony Residents’ Welfare Association. Residents reported the timely removal of four aggressive dogs that had bitten multiple people since June 2024. The association expressed relief, stating, “Because of the Lokayukta’s timely directions, the children are happily able to move around the colony’s streets without fear. Even elderly senior citizens are now able to go on daily walks fearlessly.”

However, the association urged that the dogs not be returned to the locality, citing Supreme Court guidelines that habitual biters must not be released back into public areas.

The Lokayukta noted that the petition underscored both the fear residents experience due to stray dog attacks and the relief when authorities take prompt action.

Conclusion

With the Lokayukta’s intervention, Bengaluru is set to adopt a more structured approach to managing stray dogs, emphasising both citizen participation and strict accountability for authorities, while expanding measures beyond city limits to prevent incidents and ensure public safety.

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